Britain is ready to send more weapons to Ukraine to help it defend itself against a Russian invasion, the Defense Secretary has announced.
Multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) and precision-guided missiles, which can hit targets up to 50 miles away, will be delivered to the Eastern European nation, Ben Wallace said.
“This latest tranche of military support will allow Ukraine’s armed forces to continue to defend themselves against Russian aggression and the indiscriminate use of long-range artillery,” he added.
“Our continued support sends a very clear message: Britain and the international community remain opposed to this illegal war and will stand shoulder to shoulder, providing defensive military aid to Ukraine to help it defend itself against the invasion of Putin”.
The M31A1 missiles have been designed to defend against Russian heavy artillery.
Ukrainian troops have already been trained in the UK on how to use the launchers, and 10,000 soldiers are due to receive training in infantry battlefield skills in the coming months.
Canada, Denmark, Finland, Sweden and the Netherlands have also said they will support the program.
Wallace will co-host the Copenhagen Conference for Ukraine’s Northern European Defense Allies on Thursday.
During the meeting, officials are expected to discuss long-term support for the war-torn country, including troop training, equipment and funding.
The UK has previously supplied the country with several weapons, including the NLAW anti-tank missile launcher, which was seen as critical in the initial defense against Moscow’s invasion.
The latest announcement comes after explosions rocked a Russian air base in Crimea on Tuesday, killing one person and injuring several others.
Although Kyiv has not publicly claimed responsibility for the attack, a senior Ukrainian official told Sky News that the country’s special forces carried out the operation.
Ukraine has claimed that nine Russian planes were destroyed as a result.
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2:14 Ukraine behind the “Crimea explosion”
Russia has denied that any of its equipment was damaged, trying to play down the explosions by saying that all hotels and beaches on the peninsula were unaffected.
On Wednesday, Wallace said it was “clear” the blasts were not caused by “someone dropping a cigarette”, as he dismissed Moscow’s “excuses”.
He added that he believes anyone’s “war manual” would consider the site on the Crimean peninsula, which was annexed by Moscow in 2014, a “legitimate target” for Ukraine to attack.